UK Parliament home

Open Change the law to give next kin access to medical records at the end of life.

Created by Charlotte Howard
Closes on

Change the law to give recognised next of kin full access to medical records when a patient lacks capacity and is receiving end-of-life or palliative care, except where there are domestic abuse or safeguarding concerns.

Families are expected to contribute to best interests decisions but are often denied access to the information needed to advocate effectively. The law should define who qualifies as next of kin and include safeguards where there are domestic abuse or other serious safeguarding concerns. This would improve transparency and help ensure patients' wishes are respected.

Sign this petition

13 signatures

Show on a map

10,000

Petition progress

View all updates for this petition, with the most recent first.

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 25 February 2027.